“You don’t understand…”

“Then explain it to me.”

He crossed his arms, and leaned against the desk. “There was a time when we were on good terms, friendly even, with the local coven. I grew up here with Michael and used to play with your cousins and the rest of the younger coven members.”

I knew that he saw Mr. Dawson as a friend and sort of father figure, but it always weirded me out how he called Mr. Dawson by his first name. I had no idea he knew any of La Aquelarre.

“That all stopped when your grandmother died. Luciana has a thing against the wolves…I know some people, like Meredith, kept in contact with the coven, but most of them hate us. Really, truly hate us. Luciana’s instilled that in them, and that’s only escalated since I bit you.”

He was totally backing up what Mom said, but that didn’t change what I needed to do. No matter how bad or dangerous this Luciana was, I had to ask the coven for help. Why didn’t they get that Meredith’s life was worth the risk?

I cracked my knuckles as I took in what he’d said. “So, they’re holding a grudge?”

“That’s putting it mildly. I bit their next leader. What I did…it would’ve been big deal even if we were on good terms. They’re not okay with what happened. And they won’t be for a while, if ever.” He ran his thumb back and forth over the back of my hand. “I wasn’t going to tell you, but they’ve also asked to speak at the Tribunal.”

Oh, no. “That sounds a whole lot of no bueno.”

He shrugged, making it seem like it wasn’t that big of a deal, but I knew better. “It’s not like the Tribunal was ever going to be fun. I think we—I—have a strong case, but they’re not helping. They’re talking about fighting us. Taking you back. It’s not a good situation.”

“God. Talk about burying the lead. You say I held back with that stuff about Meredith and Donovan, but how could you not tell me about this?”

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

“That’s not really an option. If something’s up, you have to tell me.”

“I’m sorry. I probably should’ve said something sooner, but that doesn’t change my opinion. No matter how badly you might want it, curing Meredith might not be something you can do.”

I refused to believe that. “Doing something is better than doing nothing.”

He squeezed my hand. “I’m hoping Donovan gets back to us soon. He might know some way to help her that we haven’t thought of yet. It’s a long shot, but… And if they’re true mates, then he might sense that something’s wrong with her, too. Her parents will be here tomorrow, and her brothers are on their way, too.” Meredith had four older brothers, all of them Cazadores. I’d seen pictures. They looked like Norse gods—tall, blond, and blue-eyed.

I was glad they were all coming, but there wasn’t any reason to believe they’d be able to do anything except watch Meredith die.

“The best thing you can do right now is go to class.”

No. The best thing I could do right then was to find a way to break the spell. I couldn’t go to class, but he didn’t have to know. “Sure.” I hated lying to him. It was just plain wrong, but he wasn’t giving me any choice.

“Hey,” he said with a small smile.

“What?”

“You know I love you, right?”

I almost rolled my eyes. “Yeah.” He was being sweet after telling me no, but it was sucking me in all the same.

“I’m proud of you and how far you’ve come. I couldn’t have picked a better mate.”

Why did he have to be nice right after I lied to him? It was making me feel all kinds of horrible. “Thanks. I’m trying.”

“Not trying. Doing. So proud of you.” He pressed his lips against mine. I ran my hands through his hair and the world faded away as I melted into the kiss. He had this ability to wipe away all thoughts. All I wanted was more. Of him. I moaned and his hands squeezed my hips as he pulled me closer. When we finally moved apart, we were both out of breath.

He pressed his forehead to mine. “Bye, cherie.”

My legs were a little unsteady as I walked away. I looked over my shoulder at him before I walked out the door. He was reclining against the front of the desk, with his ankles crossed and his hands shoved in his pockets. He winked, and I got that butterflies-in-the-belly feeling.

He was going to be so pissed when he found out what I was doing.

I made my way to the next building. The courtyard was empty and the sounds of the outdoors that surrounded the school filled my short walk—grass crunching under my feet, birds chirping, and small animals foraging for food. The dorm buildings and cafeterias were to my right. On my left, buildings that housed the classrooms cast shadows over the quad.